Fantasy Football: Start or sit for Panthers vs. Patriots

Fantasy Football: Start or sit for Panthers vs. Patriots

The Carolina Panthers will be on the road Sunday to meet Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

Here’s a review of who to start and who to sit in fantasy football.

QB: Sit Cam Newton, start Tom Brady

If you’re still expecting a QB1 kind of season from Newton you’re going to have a rough time. Whether or not the internet rumors are true about concerns over Newton’s body breaking down, it’s clear he does not have much fantasy upside right now. With no help at left tackle, nobody stepping up at wide receiver and all kinds of accuracy problems, Newton only has value as a rusher right now. New England is not the kind of team that’s going to break contain and let him break off a big run, so it’s best to keep him on your bench.

On the other side, Mr. Brady has been playing angry since his team’s Week 1 fourth quarter collapse against the Chiefs. Over the last two weeks he has averaged over 400 passing yards and four touchdowns per game. Carolina’s defense is good, but even against the 1985 Bears odds are you would want Brady in your lineup this week.

RB: Start Christian McCaffrey and Mike Gilleslee

Here’s an illuminating number: so far McCaffrey leads the Panthers with 23 targets and 173 receiving yards. That says a lot about the state of Mike Shula’s offense, but McCaffrey owners will most likely benefit most from the dysfunction. McCaffrey is an easy start, especially considering the Patriots have allowed more fantasy points to running backs than any other team in the league.

Jonathan Stewart is worth considering too, but it’s tough to imagine him outscoring McCaffrey now that the passing attack is all about the rookie.

No New England running backs are very efficient this year, but Mike Gillislee has value as a goal line weapon and he’s scored four times already. Assume Brady will get him at least a few red zone opportunities to punch one in.

WR: Start Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan

The Panthers wide receiver corps is a total mess and only Russell Shepard has scored so far. Until somebody steps up, this is a no-go for fantasy owners. New England is a different story, though.

Cooks had a couple of big games against the Panthers when he was with the Saints. With Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola both out, he’s become a frequent favorite look for Brady. Expect plenty of targets for Cooks, who has more than enough speed to make Captain Munnerlyn sweat. Hogan is also a strong play given how hot Brady is.

TE: Start Rob Gronkowski

If Gronk is healthy he should be in your lineup regardless of matchup. He’s not on the injury report so start him without reservation. With Olsen out, there’s nobody else worth looking at.